Latest news with #Numan
Iraqi News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq confirms June drone attacks used foreign-made weapons
Baghdad – Iraq said Friday that drones which hit several military radar systems last month were launched from within the country but manufactured abroad, without identifying the perpetrators. On June 24, the Iraqi government said that several small suicide drones targeted multiple Iraqi military sites and bases, including the radar systems at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar Province in southern Iraq. Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the prime minister, said that Iraq identified 'the origin of the drones used in the attacks,' adding that they were 'equipped with warheads of varying weights and were manufactured outside Iraq.' The drones were also launched from several locations inside Iraq. They were all of the same type, which indicates 'a single executing party'. Numan said the government also identified 'the entities involved in planning and carrying out' these attacks. Numan did not specify where the drones were made or identify those responsible, but he said that 'all those involved… will be referred to the Iraqi judiciary.' Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. A source close to the Iran-backed Iraqi factions, who had in previous years hit bases hosting US troops, told AFP the groups have nothing to do with the drone attacks. The June attacks came hours before a ceasefire took hold between Israel and Iran, and after Iran launched missiles at a US military facility in Qatar in retaliation for US bombing of its nuclear facilities. In the past few weeks, Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdistan region has seen a spate of unclaimed drone attacks, mostly against oil fields. Baghdad has promised an investigation to identify the culprits. The attacks in Kurdistan come at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil over oil exports from Kurdistan, which have been blocked since 2023. The last attack occurred on Thursday morning on an oil field, hours before Baghdad announced a deal with Arbil to resume oil exports.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drag artist's local Chinese takeaway calls to check he is ‘still alive' after losing 14st
A drag artist's local Chinese takeaway was so concerned about his sudden weight loss that they called to check he was "still alive" after he shed 14 stone using Mounjaro injections. Jordan Bateman, a 31-year-old from Swansea, tipped the scales at 28st (177.8kg) in July 2024, standing at 5ft 9ins tall, and found himself "breathless" during performances as his drag persona, Ruby Slippers. Now, Jordan has slimmed down to 14st (88.9kg), thanks to Mounjaro – a treatment he started privately through digital healthcare provider Numan before it was announced that it would be available on the NHS. It has transformed his life by cutting out motorway fast-food feasts, working with a personal trainer,. READ MORE: Police appeal as man found dead inside his home READ MORE: Vocational skills to be offered at new secondary school in Swansea He says he feels like he has added "20 years" to his life. He shared that he's spent over £3,000 in the medication since last August but now saves on food and no longer requires costly bespoke costumes, having gone from a size 4XL to a medium. Jordan, who juggles roles as an entertainment manager at a leading holiday park and performs across Britain as a stand-in, as well as working as a drag queen, is now even open to love for the first time in his adult life. He admits to feeling more "confident" following his lifestyle changes, but his drastic transformation raised eyebrows at his favourite takeaway. "This is so embarrassing, my local Chinese actually phoned my house to see if I was still alive," Jordan recounted to PA Real Life. "Before my weight-loss journey, I would be on the M4 after gigging all weekend and, on the drive home, I'd ring my local Chinese and say, 'Can I have my order?'. "I wouldn't even need to say what I wanted, it would already be there. I'd typically go for lemon chicken, seaweed, egg fried rice, chips, prawn crackers and duck spring rolls." He added: "I could never eat any of that to that extent and that amount any more – in fact, I haven't had a Chinese for a whole year now!". Growing up in Swansea, Jordan was an extremely active child, constantly singing, dancing or acting. But after entering the entertainment industry aged 18, having studied performance and childcare at college, the demands of life on the road took a toll. "There's no kitchen when you're on the road, so my diet became all about what I could get at service stations – Greggs, McDonald's, that sort of thing," he said. "After a show, you'd go to the pub, then grab a pizza or a takeaway back at your digs. Everyone did it, so I didn't really notice how much weight I was gaining." But in July 2024, while performing This Is The Moment from the musical Jekyll & Hyde as Ruby Slippers, something changed. "I couldn't get through the song, I couldn't breathe, and I thought 'This isn't normal'," Jordan recalled. He revealed that he visited his GP in July 2024 and was informed he weighed 28st, which he admitted "shocked" him, despite being aware that he was overweight. "I'd done fad diets before, I'd even been on Channel 4's How To Lose Weight Well, but nothing stuck – this time I knew it had to be different," he elaborated. Jordan said he initially considered a gastric sleeve but did not want to feel restricted in terms of what he could eat and, upon his GP's advice, opted for Mounjaro instead. The NHS says Tirzepatide, also called Mounjaro, is a weekly injection that patients do themselves, making them feel fuller for longer and, therefore, less hungry. It is advised that anyone taking the injection should eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here Starting from August 2024, Jordan began upping his injection dosage monthly, but later reduced it due to nausea, following guidance from Numan. Jordan has spent over £3,000 on the treatment in total but believes it has been "worth every penny". However, he warns others that injections are not an easy fix. "It's a commitment – you mentally and physically have to change what you do for it to work," he says. Jordan's grocery shopping now looks drastically different, swapping out "chocolate, crisps, lots of heavy carbs" with "no colour" for a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. He is also working with a personal trainer and following a nutrition plan as part of efforts to sustain his new lifestyle after he stops taking the medication when he reaches his weight goal of 12st (76.2kg). To avoid unhealthy eating while on tour, he prepares his meals ahead of time, steering clear of service station options. He notes that Ruby's persona has always been "confident" and "larger than life", but now, Jordan finds himself needing fewer breaks during performances and is comfortable "having (his) arms out" while on stage. Jordan can also be more active when entertaining kids at the holiday park – and has noticed children draw him differently now, no longer representing him as a "circle" but rather a typical "stick figure". Jordan, who is gay, says he has been single all of his adult life due to work commitments but now feels "empowered" to date for the first time after feeling "more confident" in his body. His transformation has drawn positive remarks from friends, family, and colleagues, though he confesses his mind is still catching up with the changes. From not needing a plane seatbelt extender on a recent holiday to Tenerife, to having space between his stomach and the steering wheel when driving, the benefits of his transformation are manifold. "I've still got a belly, however it's not as rounded and not as ghastly to look at," Jordan admits. He recalls the relief of being able to confidently walk around shirtless on holiday. "Now I feel confident that I can walk into a theme park and go on to a rollercoaster and enjoy those weight-restricted activities without any kind of embarrassment." Jordan appreciates the challenging moment that prompted him to re-evaluate his lifestyle choices. He urged others to consult their GP if they're contemplating the use of weight-loss medication. "If I'd continued without a care in the world, I dread to think how heavy I would be now," he remarked. "I reckon in a year I'd have probably put another two stone or more on. "I've probably added about 20 years on to my life expectancy – at 28 stone I was probably moments away from a heart attack or a stroke, and that for me is a massive life turnaround."
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I lost 14st in a year - my local takeaway called to ask if I was still alive'
Jordan Bateman, 31, weighed 28st in July 2024, standing at 5ft 9in tall, when he found himself "breathless" while performing as his drag alter ego, Ruby Slippers A drag artist's favourite Chinese takeaway was so shocked by his incredible 14 stone weight loss that they rang to check if he was "still alive". Jordan Bateman, 31 and from Swansea, tipped the scales at 28st (177.8kg) in July 2024, and at 5ft 9in tall, he found himself gasping for air during performances as his drag persona, Ruby Slippers. Thanks to the weight loss jab Mounjaro, which Jordan obtained privately through digital healthcare provider Numan before it was announced for NHS availability, he now boasts a svelte 14st (88.9kg). The transformation has seen him wave goodbye to motorway food binges, collaborate with a personal trainer, and he reckons he's tacked on an extra "20 years" to his lifespan. Jordan admits splurging more than £3,000 on the treatment since last August, but said he was now economising on food and no longer requires costly custom-made outfits after shrinking from a size 4XL to a medium. Doubling as an entertainment manager for a holiday park chain and performing across Britain as a stand-in, as well as his gigs in drag, Jordan is embracing the prospect of romance for the first time as an adult. He confesses to feeling more "confident", yet his drastic health kick raised eyebrows at his local Chinese eatery. "This is so embarrassing, my local Chinese actually phoned my house to see if I was still alive," Jordan said. "Before my weight loss journey, I would be on the M4 after gigging all weekend and, on the drive home, I'd ring my local Chinese and say, 'Can I have my order? "I wouldn't even need to say what I wanted, it would already be there. I'd typically go for lemon chicken, seaweed, egg fried rice, chips, prawn crackers and duck spring rolls." He went on: "I could never eat any of that to that extent and that amount any more – in fact, I haven't had a Chinese for a whole year now!". Raised in Swansea, Jordan was an "highly active" youngster, constantly singing, dancing or performing. However, after breaking into the entertainment world at 18, following studies in performance and childcare at college, the pressures of touring life began to bite. "There's no kitchen when you're on the road, so my diet became all about what I could get at service stations – Greggs, McDonald's, that sort of thing," he explained. "After a show, you'd go to the pub, then grab a pizza or a takeaway back at your digs. Everyone did it, so I didn't really notice how much weight I was gaining." However, in July 2024, whilst belting out This Is The Moment from the musical Jekyll and Hyde during a show as Ruby Slippers, everything shifted. "I couldn't get through the song, I couldn't breathe, and I thought 'This isn't normal'," recalled Jordan. He revealed he saw his GP in July 2024 and discovered he tipped the scales at 28st, which left him "shocked", despite already knowing he carried excess weight. "I'd done fad diets before, I'd even been on Channel 4's How To Lose Weight Well, but nothing stuck – this time I knew it had to be different," he revealed. Jordan revealed he initially toyed with the idea of a gastric sleeve but decided against it as he didn't want to be limited in his food choices. Following his GP's guidance, he chose Mounjaro instead. The NHS describes Tirzepatide, known commercially as Mounjaro, as a self-administered weekly injection that helps patients feel satiated for longer, curbing their appetite. Patients are encouraged to pair the injection with a balanced, calorie-reduced diet and regular exercise. Jordan began upping his injection dosage each month from August 2024 but had to reduce it due to nausea, acting on advice from Numan. Having spent upwards of £3,000 on the treatment, Jordan asserts it has been "worth every penny". However, he warns others not to view weight loss injections as an easy fix. "It's a commitment – you mentally and physically have to change what you do for it to work," he said. Jordan explained a complete overhaul in his grocery shopping, swapping out "chocolate, crisps, lots of heavy carbs" with "no colour" for a rainbow of fresh produce. Working with a personal trainer and adhering to a nutrition plan, he is determined to maintain his healthier lifestyle beyond the medication, which he plans to discontinue once he hits his target weight of 12st (76.2kg). To avoid the temptation of service station fare while on tour, he preps his meals ahead of time. While he acknowledges that Ruby's character has always been "confident" and "larger than life" regardless of his size, Jordan now finds performing as her less tiring, needing fewer breaks between sets and even feeling comfortable "having (his) arms out" on stage. He's also more energetic when entertaining children at the holiday park, noticing a change in how they depict him in drawings – no longer as a "circle" but now as a typical "stick figure". Jordan, who is gay, said he'd been single throughout his adult life due to work commitments, but now feels "empowered" to start dating, thanks to newfound body confidence. His transformation has drawn compliments from friends, family, and colleagues, though he confesses his mind is still catching up. The positive changes are numerous, from not requiring a plane seatbelt extender on a recent trip to Tenerife to enjoying extra space between his stomach and the steering wheel while driving. Jordan admits: "I've still got a belly, however it's not as rounded and not as ghastly to look at. "It was actually quite a relief to be able to walk around with confidence with my top off on holiday. Now I feel confident that I can walk into a theme park and go on to a rollercoaster and enjoy those weight-restricted activities without any kind of embarrassment." Jordan is thankful for the wake-up call he received when he struggled to perform, which led him to re-evaluate his lifestyle choices. He advises others to consult their GP if they're considering weight-loss medication. "If I'd continued without a care in the world, I dread to think how heavy I would be now," he reflected. "I reckon in a year I'd have probably put another two stone or more on. "I've probably added about 20 years on to my life expectancy – at 28 stone I was probably moments away from a heart attack or a stroke, and that for me is a massive life turnaround."
Metro
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
80s music icon almost cancelled long-overdue Glastonbury debut over health fears
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video An 80s music icon has revealed his long-overdue Glastonbury debut almost didn't happen. Gary Numan played an electrifying set on the Park Stage on Saturday night, even bringing out his daughters, Raven and Persia, for a tune each. His name sat on the bill alongside some real music greats this year, as Sir Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, and The 1975 all played major slots at Worthy Farm in 2025. However, Numan, 67, was close to cancelling his gig over health fears. Speaking on Good Morning Britain today as he reflected on the weekend, the singer told Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: 'It was amazing. 'I was very, very nervous during the day. Very nervous. 'I'm actually going deaf, so we had some warm-up shows, and I was struggling with those to hear things properly. We got that sorted out.' 'But at one point, I was thinking about cancelling it,' he confessed. 'Just [thinking] it's gonna be a nightmare, it's gonna be a disaster, you know? Because I can't hear properly.' Thankfully, all was ironed out before the big show. 'The closer it got, the less nervous I became, strangely enough. By the time I actually did it, I was enjoying myself. It was good fun.' Numan is widely considered a pioneer of electronic music, but despite a career spanning five decades, this year was his first time at Glasto, to the surprise of fans. As he took to the stage and received a roaring reception, though, many watching at home believed he should've been given a bigger stage. Taking to X, @little_missneat complained: 'Really polished set from Gary Numan at @glastonbury worthy of a later slot on a bigger stage so crowd could have been more lively. Still got it for sure, one of the highlights from this year.' @johnventers1 echoed: 'Gary Numan should have been on a bigger stage.' Hailing Numan as 'absolute class', @chunnb declared him a 'highlight of the weekend'. 'Gary Numan deserves a bigger stage this is epic', agreed @villanK7, while @TQQNarmy added that he should be 2027's headliner. Numan – whose full name is Gary Anthony James Webb – entered the music industry as frontman of the new wave band Tubeway Army and released two albums with them. In 1979, he released his own debut solo album, The Pleasure Principle, which topped the UK charts. His commercial popularity peak came in the early 80s with hits such as Are Friends Electric? and Cars, both of which hit number one. To this day, he has maintained a cult following, having sold over 10million records. His last album was Intruder in 2021, which was his 19th. He toured the US and the UK with the record, and last year, he announced a string of shows in celebration of the 45th anniversary of his debut. While Glasto '25 became a widely political affair, Numan, recognisable via his unique vocals and androgynous stage persona, has distanced himself from politics in recent years, at least publicly. He was previously outspoken with his support for the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher after she was elected but later admitted regret, calling it 'a noose around [his] neck'. More Trending Numan went on to say he considers himself neither left nor right wing, having not supported either Tony Blair or David Cameron, explaining further: 'I'm not a socialist, I know that. I don't believe in sharing my money.' It comes as investigations are underway into the BBC's broadcasting of Bob Vylan's set, which included leading the crowd in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. Directly after this, Irish rap trio Kneecap, including member Liam O'Hanna, who appeared in court earlier this month on charges of a terror offence, took to the stage and led chants of 'Free Palestine'. On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Glastonbury headliner 'had to use cheat sheet on stage to remember his own lyrics' MORE: Rod Stewart, Bobby Vylan and Kneecap – Readers discuss politics at Glastonbury MORE: The surprising drink nutritionist recommends for speedy festival recovery
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iraq to investigate drone attacks on military radar systems
Listen to article Iraq said on Tuesday it will investigate suicide drone attacks on radar systems at two military bases, adding that its forces intercepted several other attempted incursions. There has been no claim of responsibility for the attacks, and the government has not yet identified any perpetrators. Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, described the attacks as "cowardly and treacherous". He said that early Tuesday "several small suicide drones targeted multiple Iraqi military sites and bases." "The assault severely damaged radar systems at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar Province" in southern Iraq, he added. Iraqi forces also thwarted other attacks against "four additional sites across various locations", Numan said, adding that the drones were downed "before they could reach their intended targets". Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the formation of "a high-level" committee to investigate the attacks and identify the perpetrators. Earlier, a security source told AFP requesting anonymity that the first attack hit a radar system at the Taji base, and a few hours later another drone struck the radars at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar. A drone fell in the Radwaniya district, 10 kilometres west of Baghdad International Airport, the source said, where US troops are deployed in a base as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. The unidentified drone strikes came hours after Iran launched missiles at a US military facility in Qatar in retaliation for the US bombing of Tehran's nuclear facilities. Following the Qatar attack, Israel said it had agreed to US President Donald Trump's proposal for a ceasefire, and Baghdad announced the reopening of its airspace, 12 days after closing it amid the Iran-Israel war. Security sources who confirmed the drone attacks to AFP could not name any perpetrators. A source close to the Iran-backed Iraqi factions, who had in previous years hit bases hosting US troops, told AFP "of course" the groups have nothing to do with the drone attacks. Another source from the factions suggested Israel and the US might be behind them. A senior security official said "we don't know yet if the drones were launched from inside or outside Iraq". Iraq, which has for years navigated a delicate balancing act between its allies Tehran and Washington, has long been a fertile ground for proxy battles. Since the start of the Iran-Israel war, Baghdad has worked to prevent the violence from spreading onto its turf, especially due to growing fears over possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests should it join Israel's campaign. Iraq has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil.
